Octahedral TiO2/Fe2O3 heterojunctions

Alp Yürüm, Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research & Application Center, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
Parveen Qureshi, Faculty Of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Istanbul, Turkey
Mehmet Ali Gülgün, Faculty Of Engineering & Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, İstanbul, Turkey

Photocatalytic properties of TiO2 make them useful materials in a wide range of applications such as waste water purification, antimicrobial surfaces, and self-cleaning surfaces. Consequently, it attracts much scientific interest. Photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2 depends on many factors such as band gap, surface area, particle size, and crystallinity. We demonstrate the synthesis of a unique nanostructured octahedral TiO2/Fe2O3 heterojunctions by using hydrothermal methods. While these methods expose the photocatalytically active (101) and (001) surfaces of anatase, the material also shows activity under visible light. With this novel design, incomparable photocatalytic activity can be obtained due to effective electron and hole separation. The structural, physical and morphological properties of nanocomposites were studied using various characterization tools such as XRD, BET, SEM, and TEM. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activities were tested against methylene blue solution under UV/Vis radiation for potential applications in waste water treatment.